MUI Describes Israel as Brutal and Violating Human Rights in Detention of 9 Indonesians During Humanitarian Mission

Erick Yusuf, Deputy Secretary-General of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), said that Israel’s detention of nine Indonesian nationals who were part of the Global Sumud Flotilla humanitarian mission was a brutal act. ‘That brutal act constitutes a real violation of human rights and international law, maritime law, and universal humanitarian principles,’ he said at a press conference reviewing the detention of the nine Indonesians at the MUI Office, Jakarta, on Thursday 21 May 2026. The nine Indonesians participated in a humanitarian mission to Gaza to defend the Palestinian people. Therefore, MUI, together with Islamic organisations and philanthropic bodies, strongly condemned the Israeli military aggression against the civilian ship delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. ‘We call on Israel to immediately release the nine Indonesian citizens and all other detainees unconditionally as a form of accountability by the Israeli government for the safety of the humanitarian mission,’ he said. ‘We urge the UN Security Council and the International Court of Justice to investigate violations of international law committed by the Israeli soldiers and to bring cases before the International Criminal Court (ICC) or the ICJ,’ he added. In addition, MUI calls on Muslims and the global community to continue to mobilise solidarity for Palestine and to urge Zionist Israel to end its blockade and its aggression against Gaza. According to information from Global Peace Convoy Indonesia, on Wednesday 20 May 2026, the nine Indonesians sent emergency SOS messages via video stating they had been detained. They were captured at different times: Andi, Rahendro, Andre, Thoudy and Abeng were arrested on Monday 18 May 2026. He said the manoeuvre by the ship’s captain who was aboard prevented Israeli soldiers from pursuing. A few hours later he was detained on Tuesday 19 May 2026 local time. Four hours later, Asad and Hendro posted emergency messages stating they had been captured by Israeli troops.